Erwin's eyes widened in surprise. "So, the legacy from the four founders is simply control over Hogwarts?"
Ravenclaw nodded. "Just one aspect—and the most valuable at that. Trust me, Hogwarts holds far more worth than you might guess. It's not merely a castle; it's a fortress, a weapon in its own right. You'll have plenty of time to explore the details later."
Erwin inclined his head. "Very well, Your Majesty. Do you know anything about Slytherin's legacy?"
She paused, then her expression brightened with realization. "Ah, yes—you're in Slytherin, and such a standout at that, with power well beyond your years. You might just claim his inheritance. Salazar always believed the strong should rule all, so his trials are the harshest. I can't say exactly what he left, but knowing him, it'll tie to raw power. Expect a massive boost to your abilities."
Erwin nodded, the pieces falling into place.
He pressed on. "And that booklet on becoming an Animagus in the study—is it legitimate? Could it actually work?"
Ravenclaw hesitated before answering. "It could."
His eyes lit up. "Has anyone ever tried?"
She shook her head. "No one. The concept came from Helga Hufflepuff, but she passed before perfecting it. She mentioned flaws that needed fixing—I never learned if she resolved them. If you secure Hufflepuff's legacy, you might encounter her and ask directly. Until then, I strongly advise against experimenting. Even I can't predict the risks."
Erwin agreed silently; he had no intention of gambling with untested magic. Life was too precious for recklessness.
"It's nearly time," Ravenclaw said. "Any final questions?"
"Yes—one more. What happened in that study? Time felt meaningless inside, but my body tells me I was there for ages."
She confirmed it with a nod. "Spot on. You endured a full decade in there."
Erwin jolted. A decade?
Noticing his shock, she elaborated. "But only an hour has elapsed outside. It's a treasure I acquired from Great Britain—they call it a time chamber. Visit their lands someday; their ingenuity will astonish you. If not for them... well, never mind. No more questions? Then I'll impart the rest of my legacy."
"One last thing, Your Majesty," Erwin said. "When you designed this trial, didn't you intend any clues for the challenger? Anyone else might have failed outright."
A flicker of embarrassment crossed her features.
"Fine, no more delays," she said briskly. "Let's proceed."
Erwin caught the unease in her expression and suppressed a knowing smile. His instincts had been right; no one could puzzle this out alone. There must have been hints—this sly old fox had simply overlooked them.
With a wave of her hand, the diadem rose into the air.
"This is my true legacy," Ravenclaw announced, her voice tinged with solemnity. "The Ravenclaw Diadem—or more precisely, the secret to wielding it."
A shadow of sorrow passed over her face as she gazed at the floating artifact.
Then, slowly, it descended onto Erwin's brow. The sapphire gem rested against his forehead, and in that instant, a sharp eagle's cry echoed from within him.
A luminous blue eagle materialized, circling above the diadem on his head.
Clarity flooded Erwin's mind, thoughts racing with effortless precision. It was as if his very intellect had been polished, the fog of exhaustion from days without sleep evaporating in a heartbeat.
Ravenclaw explained, "This is the heart of the Ravenclaw legacy. The diadem does hold unique powers, but they're linked to Hogwarts itself. Only its true master can unlock them."
Enlightenment dawned on Erwin. The legends rang true after all.
The Ravenclaw Diadem could sharpen the mind, heighten wisdom, and foster unparalleled insight. Helena had stolen it in a desperate bid for her mother's gifts, but without Hogwarts' recognition, it remained inert—a mere trinket. Over time, the tales faded into myth, dismissed as fancy. The diadem's magic wasn't inherent; it drew from the castle's ancient essence, accessible only to its rightful owner.
Curiosity prompted him. "Your Majesty, why not grant Hogwarts' authority to Helena from the start?"
"Rules bind even founders," she replied softly. "Hogwarts lives, selecting its guardians as it sees fit. We four earned our place through trials; so must the next. I brought Helena here to attempt hers, but you know how that ended."
Erwin fell quiet, weighing the tragedy.
It was a tangled affair, this mother-daughter rift. Helena, like any heir chafing under a famous shadow, yearned to forge her own path. She craved recognition on her merits, not as Rowena's spoiled offspring. The swirling myths around the diadem fueled her folly; she believed it could elevate her to her mother's stature.
Yet Rowena bore fault too, withholding the truth. A simple explanation might have guided Helena toward the trials instead of rebellion. Silence bred misunderstanding, wild assumptions filled the void, and fate sealed their sorrow. Both shared the blame—lack of honest words had doomed them.
Ravenclaw broke the silence. "Enough reminiscing. I've passed my legacy to you. Wield the diadem wisely; it will yield wonders beyond measure. Now, I must bond with it. Take me to Hogwarts—I long to see Helena."
Erwin bowed his head. "As you command, Your Majesty."
---+A/N+---
I've gone through and cleared up the mistakes in the book! The "Draco" naming errors and other minor adjustments have been fixed.
Thank you for your patience and for pointing those out in the comments—it really helps improve the quality for everyone. The chapters should be much smoother to read now!
— MrGrim